Protein Only Diet Plans

Protein only diet plans usually involve removing as many carbohydrates from the diet as possible. Carbohydrates provide energy for the body, but when they are not used, they are stored as fat. The idea behind high protein, low carbohydrate diets is that if carbohydrates are eliminated, the body will use fat stores for energy and you will lose weight. According to Atkins Diet website, the body produces ketones and begins to burn fat stores when carbohydrates remain at less than 20 g per day. A protein only diet plan requires you to eliminate carbohydrates for maximum weight loss.

Non-Diet Foods

High protein diet plans such as the Atkins Diet require that you eliminate all processed foods that contain sugar or carbohydrates. In addition, you cannot eat bread, potatoes or pasta. Do not drink soda, juice or other high carbohydrate drinks. Check all packages for carbohydrate content. All foods consumed on a protein only diet plan should preferably contain 1g of carbohydrate or less.

Diet Foods

Foods you can eat on a high protein diet plan include unlimited amounts of eggs and fresh meat. Cheese and dairy can be consumed in limited amounts. 3 oz of cheese usually contains just a few grams of carbohydrates. Regular coffee creamer has about 3 g of carbohydrate per serving as well.

Breakfast

For breakfast, have eggs, sausage or ham, and an ounce of cheddar cheese. Eggs are high in protein with about 8 g per egg, and have zero carbohydrates. Most meats have very few carbohydrates and up to 20 g of protein, although processed meats such as sausage, bacon and ham may have a few grams. Check the packaging for carbohydrate and protein content , and purchase the product with less than one gram if possible. Cheddar cheese has less than one gram of carbohydrates per ounce.

Lunch

Eat a tuna salad for lunch. Lettuce has about three carbohydrates per half cup, and tuna has zero carbohydrates and 16 g of protein. Mix tuna with a low carbohydrate mayonnaise and put on top of lettuce. Add a tbsp of blue cheese dressing that contains less than one carbohydrate per 2 tbsp. Add bacon bits and a sprinkle of shredded cheese for a healthy salad.

Dinner

For dinner, have chicken breast, steak, pork chops, shrimp or other meat. These meats contain from 25 to 40 g of protein per 4 ounce serving and zero carbohydrates. Eat a small salad with 2 tbsp of blue cheese dressing for a healthy high protein meal. Add condiments as stated above for a heartier salad.

Snacks

Eat a half an ounce of peanuts, a small pickle, cheese sticks or a handful of olives for a high protein low carbohydrate snack. Sugar free jello has zero carbohydrates and will help to alleviate a sweet tooth. Drink 2 liters of water daily to help flush fat. Coffee, tea are acceptable diet drinks. You can add low calorie sweetener to drink mixes, but remember, they are approximately one gram of carbohydrate per packet.